US and Canada Basics

Usually 4 years to complete a bachelors.  

Teaching style - continuous assessment with different types of assignments and assessments throughout the term. Grades will be based on a number of factors, including class participation. 

U.S. universities have general education or liberal arts requirements in addition to requirements for specific majors. 

For U.S. admissions, school grades (transcripts) from the last 4 years of secondary school carry more priority than predicted IB grades in the admissions review.

High School Diploma students are eligible to apply to any US university, provided they meet the required credit/subject requirements set by an individual institution.

Possible to change your major once you begin university and possible to transfer universities. Thus there are very few required IB subjects, but universities will review what subjects you took from Y10-Y13 and consider the rigor of the curriculum and the grades you received. 

U.S. admissions is done through a holistic review which includes grades, test scores (if required), extracurricular activities, motivation, personal skills and qualities.

SAT scores may be required at some U.S. universities, others are test-optional (no SAT required).  See HERE for a current list of test-required schools.

Students may be required by individual universities to take an English test (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo) if they are non-native speakers, take English B or do not take English in Y12-13.

See TESTING for details on specific tests and registration

Students apply between October - January in Y13. Each university sets its own deadline.

Medicine, dentistry, veterinary and law cannot be studied as a bachelor's degree, they are post-graduate degrees in the US and Canada. 

recordings and slides of past online presentations HERE

Y11, Y12 and Y13 students have access to www.maialearning.com, our university planning platform (log on with Google using your Ecolint account)

The Common Application:  www.commonapp.org

Big Future (university search):  www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org

EducationUSA (steps and information for study in the US): https://educationusa.state.gov/

SAT:  www.sat.org  ACT:  www.act.org

List of universities that currently require the SAT/ACT 

CACHET  https://www.cachetinfo.org/member-institutions a national coalition of colleges and universities promoting opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

Fiske Guide to Colleges - copy in Ms. Oshima's office or purchase through a bookstore or online

Princeton Review Best Colleges - copy in Ms. Oshima's office purchase through bookstore or online

Ruggs Recommendations (recommendations by major - see Ms. Oshima to access this online resource)

US Cost calculator  for estimated total cost of attendance.

3-4 years to complete a bachelors

Teaching style:  At large research universities, classes may be large lecture style with additional tutorial sections. Class size may become smaller in more higher level classes that will mix lectures, discussion and interactive teaching. At smaller universities or colleges, classes will be smaller and have a mix of lecture, interactive and discussion based teaching.

Admissions requirements and eligibility is based on the type of diploma/curriculum (IB Diploma, High School Diploma with IB Certificates, High School Diploma without IB Certificates)

Predicted IB grades (if IB student) and school grades (all students) from the last four years of secondary school are reviewed. Conditions may be set on minimum exam points/grade point average, but not as strict as UK requirements.

High School Diploma students can apply to many but not all Canadian universities, but may be asked for additional testing requirements (e.g. SAT scores or IB certificates).

 IB subject requirements for bachelors of science, management/business, engineering and computer science.  See individual university websites for more information.

English taught universities - Students may be required by individual universities to take an English test (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo). Students in English B students those who do not take English in Y12-13 should take an English test to have a score. Important:  University of Toronto and McMaster requires all applicants must take English as a subject in Y13/senior year per their minimum requirements.  It is critical to check individual university requirements by major/degree.

French taught universities (Quebec province):  Proof of French level will be required. Some universities may ask for testing.

Students usually apply between early November- January in Y13. Each university sets its own deadlines.

See TESTING for details on SAT and English tests and registration.

Medicine, dentistry, veterinary and law cannot be studied as a bachelor's degree, they are post-graduate degrees in the US and Canada. 

recordings and slides of past online presentations HERE

Universities Canada: https://www.univcan.ca/universities/ 

Ontario Universities (including the OUAC application form) https://www.ouac.on.ca/

Vancouver Universities https://apply.educationplannerbc.ca/

https://www.macleans.ca/hub/education-rankings/

https://www.universitystudy.ca/canadian-universities/